Prior to joining the DRG Group as the Director of Operations, Colton served as the Associate Director of Purdue Musical Organizations (PMO). In this role, Colton led PMO's external relations team of donor relations, marketing & communications, and operations professionals. Colton came to PMO by way of major gift fundraising, serving as PMO's Director of Development from 2014-2017. Ironically, it was this role that further enforced his love for and the importance of donor relations: every major gift visit he had seemed to start off with a donor relations question!
Colton’s journey in higher education and performing arts fundraising began at Franklin College in Franklin, IN. He is a graduate of Purdue University (BS) and the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy (MA). A lifelong performer, Colton is a passionate supporter of the performing arts and has served as the president of the Indianapolis Men's Chorus board of directors, vice president of the Lafayette Symphony Orchestra board of directors, and as a fundraising consultant for the Cincinnati Sound Chorus.
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Colton's DRG clients include healthcare organizations, independent boarding schools, Canadian universities, land-grant universities, and liberal arts colleges. Colton has helped clients inspire donors through exceptional communications, build and implement innovative programs, design and analyze surveys, and train employees on the art and science of donor relations.